Why Nitish's latest defection is actually a desertion of an ideological offering which has run its course in the new, I-don't-owe-you-nothing India.
Shekhar Gupta
The roots of the latest charges go back to 2005, the year the Railways – under Lalu as minister – decided to lease out its hotels to private companies for maintenance.
TALHA ASHRAF
Bihar is the cradle of India's post-1975 politics. The JP movement that provoked the Emergency and started the process of the Congress party's decline,...
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has attracted the many backward castes, while embracing the BJP and its upper caste voters, and yet comforting the Muslims, and in the process devastating Lalu Prasad.
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On 21 Oct, a buzz went up that the govt had released full list of gallantry award recipients along with Op Sindoor citations. I put an AI caddy on the job. It took me into a never-ending rabbit hole.
This is an accurate reading of the national mood. Nitish Kumar is being a realistic – his caste credentials will never get him to be a bigger leader than Lalu. His only option to remain relevant is to align with the BJP’s base, thus forming a new and very wide social coalition. While this may seem galling to those on the left, Bihar is a desperately poor state and needs rapid economic development. That cannot happen in a dispensation that Lalu runs. One important omission in this otherwise brilliant article is the sudden prominence of the far left. The middle of the road socialists are withering, and seem to be aligning with the fringe on the left when it suits them. The challenge before the BJP is to ensure that the new generation of voters does not fall for a tired, old and bogus narrative that the fringe-left seeks top peddle.
“It is tough to convince Indian millennials – an overwhelming majority of our voters now – of the virtues of secularism when every standard-bearer of the idea is a corrupt and controversial dynast.” — I don’t think our Indian millennials need to be “convinced of the virtues of secularism”. Sure, there might be a better balance of secularism than what the BJP offers — but the Congress, SP, BSP, RJD, TMC or the Left are not that.
There is an inherent suggestion that the millenials are not secular. That’s false. Most youngsters are less socially rigid than their parents, and a pan-Indian identity is done and dusted. Certain groups might self exclude from the mainstream regardless, but what can the other groups do about that?
An outstanding unbiased assessment of today’s ground reality in India. Great piece
What a wonderfully written, well articulated, reasoned and realistic assessment of stated of
political affairs of India. Kudos to Mr. Shekhar and thanks. Keep on enlightening us.
Shekharji, Great write up, very insightful. It is the kind of stuff common man thinks /talks about our media( I dare say electronic media is too disconnected if not print media ) seems disconnected with general public feeling. Hope this gives a fillip to badly needed reform in higher education and push to state government’s( easier BJP ruled states) to reform faster..
Spot on – the fact that even the Parliamentary committee could not extract a detailed reply from the RBI Governor who got away by saying additional counting machines are being deployed is like ” Alice in Wonderland “! By the time the populace realises their mistake it shall be too little too late – I know its regressive but the fact remains- UNIVERSAL SURFAGE DOES PROVE CHURCHILL RIGHT – rosary beeds in the hands of monkeys!
Nothing succeeds like success. The trend suggest that. But Mr.Gupta covered only political aspect and impact of current scenario. He has not addressed the socio economic aspect of it.
None of the economic plan of the current government had succeeded be it digital india, make in india, demonetisation, NPA of banks, jobs, Farmers , economy, relations with our Neighbors including Nepal a long time ally. Also on social front , mob lynching, beef, minorities, farmers nothing seems to work good for India.
So if we compare current success of present BJP govt with its political gains some thru Electoral process some thru manoeuvring vs the socio economic problems I am not sure where India will stand in 2019.
However much I might hate the conclusion, it is difficult to deny the seeming truth in Gupta’s cynical observations. And there is no reason to suspect his credentials, his newspaper is among the very few that are standing tall in this month of mayhem.
But can faith and democratic values sell so cheap? Could a majority of Hindu Indians have hidden their antipathy towards the “other” so neatly just because of Nehruvian idealism and political correctness?
I refuse to believe it. Who ever cared for Congress and Nehru so much?
Or could it be a different proposition, that Indians are passing through a period of fleeting madness from which they will recover soon?
There doesn’t seem to be light at the end of the tunnel, but it would be stupid to accept darkness as the last word.
Good analysis of current picture. But, with political situation going the way it is going, the pertinent question needing discussion is : If Modiji turns out, in due course of time, a ‘benevolent dictator’ for India, through democracy only, is it good for a county like India? What could be long term consequences for India?
Well, on the one hand Mr.Gupta doles out advice to the “liberals” and “intellectuals” that the new India is not burdened with notions and philosophies of yore and on the other hand he still seems to hang on to date and ill-found narratives. It is nobody’s case that religion driven fanaticism is good but it is not as if religion has taken centre stage in Indian society and it’s politics only with the Jan Sangh and BJP. Every single politician since Independence and even prior to that has used religion selectively to further his/her fortunes. The years of appeasement of certain sections of society has vitiated the fabric of Indian society and has created fissures which have been surfacing in the recent years. The day every citizen is treated equally with no reference to religion, caste, language or region is when the society will move forward to achieve the greatness that it aspires to. And who decides who is the flag-bearer of virtuosity. There is always an alternative view to every view and the so-called “liberals”, “intellectuals” and “analysts” better open up their minds and accept this reality.
Journos like Shekar Gupta and likes of him earn their living by writing against popular positive trends of the country because it makes them stand out. Freedom of speech does not mean you abuse the situation and create a ruckus and throw mud on the government. Like Nitish journos like him are playing their last innings and I do my best is to ignore them because they market themselves – jaldi badal ja nahi toh koi nahi padega tere article
One facet this column does not address is governance / economic development that must be visible on the ground to the average voter. That sustains long term political domination.
Under the creation of illusion of a balanced article, Mr. Gupta has criticized Mr. Modi very unjustly. Does he believe in our judiciary or no? Does he believe that no matter how hard Congress tried, Modi came out smelling good about 2002 riots? Why should he have resigned? Did Mr. Gupta criticized any minister of UPA government for not resigning even after one scandal after another? And what is so embarrassing about what Pahlaj Nihalani has done that he should have resigned? So all in all just by also criticizing Congress Sarkar you cannot fool as a fair and balanced writer.
1) Nitish took a U-Turn not the people of Bihar.
2) Parties may seem weak as opposition, does not mean PEOPLE will also succumb.
3) Modi has wrecked the economy. May reverse political fortunes.
4) Socio-religious fissures are out of control. Don’t expect uncritical support from people in 2019.
5) Credibility of media has reversed in 2017. Same media cannot be trusted blindly now by 2019 voters.
6) Corporate India vs Common People is more believable electoral plank now than ever before.
7) To trust one man as capable of changing things is going to prove most difficult idea to convince voters now.
8) Farmers, workers, white-collar employees, small traders or upper class all are facing economic downturn. Can we expect more support in 2019 for Modi than 2014?
The author is more interested in showing his control of the English language! Very verbose; and successful in camouflaging the (few) important points in unnecessary sentences.
God alone knows the (low) number of readers this article has impressed.
Isn’t this change part of a global trend? Unlike in the past, consolidation to this extent is unstable given the impact of social media in constructing political narratives – a counter narrative can easily come about as quickly if the ground realities don’t change. Modi is indeed the most extraordinary politician India and perhaps the world is going to see but people in this age of speed itch for change as quickly as one changes their messages on twitter!
” desert or die. Or if you have the imagination, find a marketable new proposition”
That’s how it always was.. the desert applies to an appalling rag tag bunch of scoundrels like you have mentioned. So really it has not changed
How can U say that Supreme Court does not take decisions independently, It may be wrong from your point of view, but correct from the Supreme court point of view.
Why do you always think that always you are right.
Nice article from Shakher when things are not going the way he think it should be.I have been following his interview,tv commentary on tv or his article and he tried to blame politician or political system whenever thing go other way.i have following query to ask.
1.What about media which is biased either on right or left like republic ,timesnow or NDTV -will you ever accept ?
2. What about truth -Hold you hand on your heart and say why ppl supported demonetisation and Modi won election after election.
3.The major part of this frustration that social media challenging every view and journalist are worst hit who used to think commentary on issue is their monopoly.Every journo or Celebrity whether on right side or left on tweeter get 30-50 % tweet of counter view and around 10 percent abusive tweet which is normally global rate but ppl in media used it to reflect on other side and try to create environment of intolerance only suit their narrative.
Lastly till the time media will not held actually people responsibile like Judges,police or local collector etc for law and order and try to make political about everything nothing will change.Nobody can support killing of people in the name of religion.
First of all, Socialism and Secularism were part of original constitution created by freedom fighters. These poisonous idea was planted in 42nd amendment of Constitution by Indira when she had unrestricted power. Then masses were brainwashed to believe in these failed theories to the extent where they were ready to be sacrificed but will never stand for themselves. The sooner we throw these ideas, the better for us and our civilization. Otherwise, Hinduism will become a showcase in museums along with mummies & Greek gods.
Correction: Socialism and Secularism were NOT part of original constitution
Why sir are you so threatened for Hinduism? It has lasted 5000 years and it is dangerous to mix religion with politics. The Indisn constitution allows a person to follow their own religion. Hinduism has yielded global religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Have faith in yourself and don’t be insecure.
Crazy article. Problem is not BJP but Congress. Y has no leader been developed in 65 years of Congress. We need leaders even for opposition. Modi is having a empty field. Thank God he is a good person or else Indian would be doomed
Not sure – writer is feeling happy or sad with this development ? Or deciding ? Confused ? Like many of his ilk – unable to decipher what is happening around !!!
The greatest disadvantage congress has today is it has taken stupid decisions like dividing andhra pradesh.Andhra folks are blind followers of congress even in emergency.So in politics there will be no murders.It be only suicides.Hence it can never imagine to comeback.RIP
This is the most accurate write up on today’s politics. However, Since you want Modi to resign for Godra which was a reaction went uncomfortable, did you ask Rajiv to resign for created massacre of Sikhs nor questioned Sonia to apologize
This is an accurate reading of the national mood. Nitish Kumar is being a realistic – his caste credentials will never get him to be a bigger leader than Lalu. His only option to remain relevant is to align with the BJP’s base, thus forming a new and very wide social coalition. While this may seem galling to those on the left, Bihar is a desperately poor state and needs rapid economic development. That cannot happen in a dispensation that Lalu runs. One important omission in this otherwise brilliant article is the sudden prominence of the far left. The middle of the road socialists are withering, and seem to be aligning with the fringe on the left when it suits them. The challenge before the BJP is to ensure that the new generation of voters does not fall for a tired, old and bogus narrative that the fringe-left seeks top peddle.
Other than that, agree fully.
“It is tough to convince Indian millennials – an overwhelming majority of our voters now – of the virtues of secularism when every standard-bearer of the idea is a corrupt and controversial dynast.” — I don’t think our Indian millennials need to be “convinced of the virtues of secularism”. Sure, there might be a better balance of secularism than what the BJP offers — but the Congress, SP, BSP, RJD, TMC or the Left are not that.
There is an inherent suggestion that the millenials are not secular. That’s false. Most youngsters are less socially rigid than their parents, and a pan-Indian identity is done and dusted. Certain groups might self exclude from the mainstream regardless, but what can the other groups do about that?
An outstanding unbiased assessment of today’s ground reality in India. Great piece
What a wonderfully written, well articulated, reasoned and realistic assessment of stated of
political affairs of India. Kudos to Mr. Shekhar and thanks. Keep on enlightening us.
Shekharji, Great write up, very insightful. It is the kind of stuff common man thinks /talks about our media( I dare say electronic media is too disconnected if not print media ) seems disconnected with general public feeling. Hope this gives a fillip to badly needed reform in higher education and push to state government’s( easier BJP ruled states) to reform faster..
Shekhar ji!
Spot on – the fact that even the Parliamentary committee could not extract a detailed reply from the RBI Governor who got away by saying additional counting machines are being deployed is like ” Alice in Wonderland “! By the time the populace realises their mistake it shall be too little too late – I know its regressive but the fact remains- UNIVERSAL SURFAGE DOES PROVE CHURCHILL RIGHT – rosary beeds in the hands of monkeys!
Nothing succeeds like success. The trend suggest that. But Mr.Gupta covered only political aspect and impact of current scenario. He has not addressed the socio economic aspect of it.
None of the economic plan of the current government had succeeded be it digital india, make in india, demonetisation, NPA of banks, jobs, Farmers , economy, relations with our Neighbors including Nepal a long time ally. Also on social front , mob lynching, beef, minorities, farmers nothing seems to work good for India.
So if we compare current success of present BJP govt with its political gains some thru Electoral process some thru manoeuvring vs the socio economic problems I am not sure where India will stand in 2019.
However much I might hate the conclusion, it is difficult to deny the seeming truth in Gupta’s cynical observations. And there is no reason to suspect his credentials, his newspaper is among the very few that are standing tall in this month of mayhem.
But can faith and democratic values sell so cheap? Could a majority of Hindu Indians have hidden their antipathy towards the “other” so neatly just because of Nehruvian idealism and political correctness?
I refuse to believe it. Who ever cared for Congress and Nehru so much?
Or could it be a different proposition, that Indians are passing through a period of fleeting madness from which they will recover soon?
There doesn’t seem to be light at the end of the tunnel, but it would be stupid to accept darkness as the last word.
Good analysis of current picture. But, with political situation going the way it is going, the pertinent question needing discussion is : If Modiji turns out, in due course of time, a ‘benevolent dictator’ for India, through democracy only, is it good for a county like India? What could be long term consequences for India?
Please write about the corruption by the congress and how they looted India and Indians, than wasting your time crying foul at Nitish joining NDA
Well, on the one hand Mr.Gupta doles out advice to the “liberals” and “intellectuals” that the new India is not burdened with notions and philosophies of yore and on the other hand he still seems to hang on to date and ill-found narratives. It is nobody’s case that religion driven fanaticism is good but it is not as if religion has taken centre stage in Indian society and it’s politics only with the Jan Sangh and BJP. Every single politician since Independence and even prior to that has used religion selectively to further his/her fortunes. The years of appeasement of certain sections of society has vitiated the fabric of Indian society and has created fissures which have been surfacing in the recent years. The day every citizen is treated equally with no reference to religion, caste, language or region is when the society will move forward to achieve the greatness that it aspires to. And who decides who is the flag-bearer of virtuosity. There is always an alternative view to every view and the so-called “liberals”, “intellectuals” and “analysts” better open up their minds and accept this reality.
Journos like Shekar Gupta and likes of him earn their living by writing against popular positive trends of the country because it makes them stand out. Freedom of speech does not mean you abuse the situation and create a ruckus and throw mud on the government. Like Nitish journos like him are playing their last innings and I do my best is to ignore them because they market themselves – jaldi badal ja nahi toh koi nahi padega tere article
Guarded hard facts
One facet this column does not address is governance / economic development that must be visible on the ground to the average voter. That sustains long term political domination.
Under the creation of illusion of a balanced article, Mr. Gupta has criticized Mr. Modi very unjustly. Does he believe in our judiciary or no? Does he believe that no matter how hard Congress tried, Modi came out smelling good about 2002 riots? Why should he have resigned? Did Mr. Gupta criticized any minister of UPA government for not resigning even after one scandal after another? And what is so embarrassing about what Pahlaj Nihalani has done that he should have resigned? So all in all just by also criticizing Congress Sarkar you cannot fool as a fair and balanced writer.
1) Nitish took a U-Turn not the people of Bihar.
2) Parties may seem weak as opposition, does not mean PEOPLE will also succumb.
3) Modi has wrecked the economy. May reverse political fortunes.
4) Socio-religious fissures are out of control. Don’t expect uncritical support from people in 2019.
5) Credibility of media has reversed in 2017. Same media cannot be trusted blindly now by 2019 voters.
6) Corporate India vs Common People is more believable electoral plank now than ever before.
7) To trust one man as capable of changing things is going to prove most difficult idea to convince voters now.
8) Farmers, workers, white-collar employees, small traders or upper class all are facing economic downturn. Can we expect more support in 2019 for Modi than 2014?
Well written.Its the beginning of the end of Congress….Matter of time.
The author is more interested in showing his control of the English language! Very verbose; and successful in camouflaging the (few) important points in unnecessary sentences.
God alone knows the (low) number of readers this article has impressed.
Isn’t this change part of a global trend? Unlike in the past, consolidation to this extent is unstable given the impact of social media in constructing political narratives – a counter narrative can easily come about as quickly if the ground realities don’t change. Modi is indeed the most extraordinary politician India and perhaps the world is going to see but people in this age of speed itch for change as quickly as one changes their messages on twitter!
” desert or die. Or if you have the imagination, find a marketable new proposition”
That’s how it always was.. the desert applies to an appalling rag tag bunch of scoundrels like you have mentioned. So really it has not changed
How can U say that Supreme Court does not take decisions independently, It may be wrong from your point of view, but correct from the Supreme court point of view.
Why do you always think that always you are right.
Very good and apt and realistic description
my own thoughts were that Modiji is going to take China way where economic freedom is there but no political one
Nice article from Shakher when things are not going the way he think it should be.I have been following his interview,tv commentary on tv or his article and he tried to blame politician or political system whenever thing go other way.i have following query to ask.
1.What about media which is biased either on right or left like republic ,timesnow or NDTV -will you ever accept ?
2. What about truth -Hold you hand on your heart and say why ppl supported demonetisation and Modi won election after election.
3.The major part of this frustration that social media challenging every view and journalist are worst hit who used to think commentary on issue is their monopoly.Every journo or Celebrity whether on right side or left on tweeter get 30-50 % tweet of counter view and around 10 percent abusive tweet which is normally global rate but ppl in media used it to reflect on other side and try to create environment of intolerance only suit their narrative.
Lastly till the time media will not held actually people responsibile like Judges,police or local collector etc for law and order and try to make political about everything nothing will change.Nobody can support killing of people in the name of religion.
First of all, Socialism and Secularism were part of original constitution created by freedom fighters. These poisonous idea was planted in 42nd amendment of Constitution by Indira when she had unrestricted power. Then masses were brainwashed to believe in these failed theories to the extent where they were ready to be sacrificed but will never stand for themselves. The sooner we throw these ideas, the better for us and our civilization. Otherwise, Hinduism will become a showcase in museums along with mummies & Greek gods.
Correction: Socialism and Secularism were NOT part of original constitution
Why sir are you so threatened for Hinduism? It has lasted 5000 years and it is dangerous to mix religion with politics. The Indisn constitution allows a person to follow their own religion. Hinduism has yielded global religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Have faith in yourself and don’t be insecure.
Crazy article. Problem is not BJP but Congress. Y has no leader been developed in 65 years of Congress. We need leaders even for opposition. Modi is having a empty field. Thank God he is a good person or else Indian would be doomed
Not sure – writer is feeling happy or sad with this development ? Or deciding ? Confused ? Like many of his ilk – unable to decipher what is happening around !!!
Cynical and pessimistic, advocating “willing surrender to the inevitable”, in other words “enjoy the rape”.
The greatest disadvantage congress has today is it has taken stupid decisions like dividing andhra pradesh.Andhra folks are blind followers of congress even in emergency.So in politics there will be no murders.It be only suicides.Hence it can never imagine to comeback.RIP
Very succinct analysis. What about states like TN, Andhra/Telangana? To remain relevant, the opposition, if any must provide a better alternative.
This is the most accurate write up on today’s politics. However, Since you want Modi to resign for Godra which was a reaction went uncomfortable, did you ask Rajiv to resign for created massacre of Sikhs nor questioned Sonia to apologize
Let’s not deflect the point made in this article or find ways to justify things. This piece is one of the best description of India today.